4- & 6-post ride simulators for automobile, SUV, bus & truck testing

4- & 6-post road simulator systems are designed to reproduce the vehicle responses experienced under both normal and extreme driving conditions. These systems are frequently used to test vehicle body, chassis and suspensions components to establish their performance characteristics and durability. Other specialist applications include quality control and 'squeak and rattle' assessment.

While the most common form of these rigs is the 4-post this can easily be extended to 6 (or possibly more)-post configurations for larger vehicles with additional axles; such as trucks and some larger buses.

4-/6-post rigs are almost always configured based upon the needs of specific customers and the performance requirements associated with the envisaged application.

Key specification points include vehicle mass, the 'unsprung' (moving) mass of the wheel and suspension components and the wheel-pan velocities and accelerations required. These will in-turn determine the actuator sizes, load and stroke ratings as well as the pressure and flow capabilities of the Hydraulic Power Supply. It is worth noting that a full durability set-up for a 'sports utility' or 'off-road' vehicle will require a very much larger HPS than a 'squeak & rattle' set-up for a smaller family car.

Other specification variables include, but may not be limited to; wheel-pan configuration, anti-rotation provision (if required), provision for x/y position adjustment (manual, semi-automatic or fully-automated) and possible integration with test chambers for environmental and/or acoustic simulation. All of the above can be provided either directly by Servotest or, in the case of environmental simulation requirements, in conjunction with world-renowned industrial partners. We aim to work closely with our customers to determine the best route to delivering the final application solution.

Servotest has extensive experience in configuring, supplying and commissioning 4-(& 6-) post rigs worldwide. Our powerful DSP-based Pulsar multi-channel digital servo-control system has a full suite of capabilities for ride simulation work. These include options for running either block-cycle loading or time-history road-load data by utilising the power of the EzFlow test sequencing software and ICS control/analysis capability.

If required advanced control system capabilities are also available to allow dynamic models to be run within the controller in parallel with the simulation. This capability could be used for controlling a spindle-coupled ride-simulator configuration, rather than the more conventional tyre-coupled format. This is something that can be accommodated by the Servotest Pulsar control platform through our unique 'Sockets' capability.

Please note that, as for any high-force dynamic test rig of this type, a suitable seismic foundation will also be requried to ensure that the vibration and forces generated by the rig are not transmitted into the test facility or to adjacent equipment. While provision of this foundation typically remains a customer-facility responsibility early consultation with Servotest is recommended to provide general guidance with respect to the mass of this foundation.